Skip to content
MovieCove
David Paymer

David Paymer

Actor and director · Born August 30, 1954 (72) · Oceanside, Long Island, New York, USA

David Emmanuel Paymer (born August 30, 1954) is an American actor, comedian, and television director.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 30, 1954 (72)
From
Oceanside, Long Island, New York, USA
Works as
Actor and director
Titles
137 on MovieCove · 180 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 8% in 30 days

What are David Paymer's films like?

Across their 55 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy22 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 43rd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Biography8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 87th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Action6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 31st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 72nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 84th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
28%
Bonds
23%
Morality
22%
Society
11%
Power
8%
Survival
6%
Ideas
3%
Family bonds15 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose11 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice10 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition7 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 52 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 23 · Serious 13 · Dark 16

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 33 · Stylized 14 · Heightened 5

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 18 · Charged 22 · Intense 12

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 22 · Shifting 26 · Whiplash 4

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 18 · Some laughs 23 · Funny 11

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 20 · Even-paced 28 · Relentless 4

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 27 · Engaged 20 · Full focus 5

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 26 · Affecting 14 · Heavy 12

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 42 · Open-ended 7 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

18 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 5 of 18 analyzed roles.

Shadow
5 of 18
Threshold guardian
2 of 18
Ally
2 of 18
Mentor
2 of 18
Herald
2 of 18
Hero
2 of 18
Shapeshifter
2 of 18
Trickster
1 of 18
Show the 18 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
26
Melancholic
22
Warm
16
Hopeful
19
Absurd
14
Other
48

How their films linger

Hopeful25 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good20 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy21
  • Bittersweet25
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous5
  • Other1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch David Paymer's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 102 of their 137 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (39).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for David Paymer's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

180 credits, 137 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • All's Fair(2025)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Pollan

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • Adults(2025)

    Show 1 episode · as Sandy Adler

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Bad Shabbos(2024)

    as Richard

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Good American Family(2025)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dr. Lawrence

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • St. Denis Medical(2024)

    Show 1 episode · as Bob

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Bookie(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Nathan

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Mr. Saturday Night: A New Musical Comedy(2022)

    as Stan Yankleman

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Minx(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Myron

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • The Sunlit Night(2019)

    as Levi

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Bad Therapy(2020)

    as Dr. Edward Kingsley

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Dave(2020)

    Show 11 episodes · as Don

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Horse Girl(2020)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Star Trek: Picard(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Moritz Benayoun

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • The Morning Show(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Shoenfeld

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • On Becoming a God in Central Florida(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · as Buck Bridges

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Where'd You Go, Bernadette(2019)

    as Jay Ross

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Fanboy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Angry Ice Cream Customer

  • The Conners(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Gary

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows

  • Accident Man(2018)

    as Milton

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • There's... Johnny! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Neuberger

  • Room 104(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Robert

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel(2017)

    Show 4 episodes · as Harry Drake

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Lemon(2017)

    as Dr. Gold

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Pickle Recipe(2016)

    as Uncle Morty

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Lucifer(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Recovery Road(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Two-Bit Waltz(2014)

    as The Lawyer

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit(2014)

    as Dixon Lewis

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Frederick Tate

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Mistresses(2013)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

  • Perception(2012)

    Show 4 episodes · as Rueben Bauer

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Bunheads(2012)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • The Five-Year Engagement(2012)

    as Pete Solomon

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Hart of Dixie(2011)

    Show 11 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Twixt(2011)

    as Sam

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Switched at Birth(2011)

    Show 6 episodes · Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Franklin & Bash(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Bad Teacher(2011)

    as Doctor Vogel

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • No Ordinary Family(2010)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Hellcats (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Life Unexpected(2010)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Men of a Certain Age(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • The Good Wife(2009)

    Show 9 episodes · as Judge Richard Cuesta

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Melrose Place(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • Make It or Break It(2009)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Drag Me to Hell(2009)

    as Mr. Jacks

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Mentalist(2008)

    Show 1 episode · Director · as James "Jim" Panzer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Privileged(2008)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • 90210(2008)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • Redbelt(2008)

    as Richard

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Side Order of Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Heartland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Resurrecting the Champ(2007)

    as Whitley

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Ocean's Thirteen(2007)

    as The V.U.P.

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • October Road(2007)

    Show 4 episodes · Director · Actor

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Brothers & Sisters(2006)

    Show 4 episodes · Director · as Donald Dudley

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all shows

  • Checking Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Ted Applebaum

  • Windfall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • What About Brian(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Pepper Dennis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Unit(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing & Charm School(2005)

    as Rafael Horowitz

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Ghost Whisperer(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Adam Godfrey

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • My Name Is Earl(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Clark Clark

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Warm Springs(2005)

    as Louis Howe

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Candor City Hospital (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director · Actor

  • Crazy for Love(2005)

    as Max Sr.

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • School of Life(2005)

    as Matt Warner

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Medium(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • In Good Company(2004)

    as Morty

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Jack & Bobby(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Actor

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Entourage(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Sammy Kane

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Balto III: Wings of Change(2004)

    as Mel (voice)

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Century City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Miller Sisto

  • Spartan(2004)

    as TV News Anchor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Line of Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 11 episodes · as Jonah Malloy

  • One Tree Hill(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Alex & Emma(2003)

    as John Shaw

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • The Burial Society (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Morry Zimmer

  • Without a Trace(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Freedman

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Everwood(2002)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • RFK (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Dick Goodwin

  • Joe and Max(2002)

    as Joe Jacobs

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Justice League(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Chancellor / Captain (voice) · as Chancellor / Nomad (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Focus(2001)

    as Mr. Finkelstein

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Wild Thornberrys: The Origin of Donnie(2001)

    as Male Rhinoceros Hornbill (voice)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Night Visions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Jim Osgoode (segment "Neighborhood Watch")

  • Bartleby(2001)

    as The Boss

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story(2000)

    as Embassy interviewer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Bounce(2000)

    as Prosecuting Attorney Mandel (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Enemies of Laughter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Paul

  • Gilmore Girls(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Static Shock(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Mason Andrews (voice)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Bait(2000)

    as Agent Wooly

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • State and Main(2000)

    as Marty Rossen

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Partners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Bob

  • From Where I Sit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Bob

  • Mumford(1999)

    as Dr. Ernest Delbanco

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Stephen Elroy

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • The Hurricane(1999)

    as Myron Bedlock

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Chill Factor(1999)

    as Dr. Richard Long

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Dash and Lilly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Arthur Kober

  • Payback(1999)

    as Arthur Stegman

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Mighty Joe Young(1998)

    as Harry Ruben

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Outside Ozona(1998)

    as Alan Defaux

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • The Lesser Evil(1998)

    as George

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Godzilla: The Series (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Dean Whitehead (voice)

  • The Wild Thornberrys(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Finch / Iguana (voice) · as Male Rhinoceros Hornbill (voice)

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • Amistad(1997)

    as Secretary John Forsyth

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Channel Umptee-3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 13 episodes · as Sheldon S. Cargo (voice)

  • Gang Related(1997)

    as Elliot Goff

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Long Way Home(1997)

    as (voice)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The New Batman Adventures (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank (voice)

  • The Sixth Man(1997)

    as Coach Pederson

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Crime of the Century(1996)

    as David Wilentz

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Carpool(1996)

    as Daniel Miller

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Unforgettable(1996)

    as Curtis Avery

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • City Hall(1996)

    as Abe Goodman

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Nixon(1995)

    as Ron Ziegler

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • The American President(1995)

    as Leon Kodak

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Get Shorty(1995)

    as Leo Devoe

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Cagney & Lacey: Together Again(1995)

    as Deputy D.A. Feldberg

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Santo Bugito (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as The Professor (voice)

  • Cagney & Lacey: The Return(1994)

    as Deputy Dist. Atty. Feldberg

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • In Search of Dr. Seuss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as The Ad Man

  • Quiz Show(1994)

    as Dan Enright

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold(1994)

    as Ira Shalowitz

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Heart and Souls(1993)

    as Hal the Bus Driver

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Searching for Bobby Fischer(1993)

    as Kalev

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Mr. Saturday Night(1992)

    as Stan

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Larry Sanders Show(1992)

    Show 7 episodes · as Norman Litkey

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Commish(1991)

    Show 4 episodes · as Arnie

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • City Slickers(1991)

    as Ira Shalowitz

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Cop Rock (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Louis Newman

  • Glory Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Mac Ten's Lawyer

  • Crazy People(1990)

    as George

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Sky High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Vic

  • Mancuso, F.B.I. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Tales from the Crypt(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Andy Conway

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • No Holds Barred(1989)

    as Unger

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • The Absent-Minded Professor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Mr. Oliphant

  • Murphy Brown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Bishop

  • Rock 'N Roll Mom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Boris

  • Jake and the Fatman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • No Way Out(1987)

    as Technician

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • 21 Jump Street(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Mike Ferris

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • Downtown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 13 episodes · as Capt. David Kiner

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Joey Paul

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • It's Garry Shandling's Show.(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Richard Kimble

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Night of the Creeps(1986)

    as Young Scientist

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Howard the Duck(1986)

    as Larry, Scientist

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Pleasures (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Stanley

  • Matlock(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · as Lenny Marcus

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Love, Mary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as David Lewis

  • Perfect(1985)

    as Managing Editor

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Moonlighting(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Camille's PR

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Irreconcilable Differences(1984)

    as Alan Sluiser

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Best Defense(1984)

    as Kurly

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Her Life as a Man(1984)

    as Ted

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Scarecrow and Mrs. King(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Grace Kelly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Jay Kanter

  • Airplane II: The Sequel(1982)

    as Court Photographer

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • St. Elsewhere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mr. Bickle

  • Cheers(1982)

    Show 3 episodes · as Phil Schumacher

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Family Ties(1982)

    Show 2 episodes · as Larry Harris

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Cagney & Lacey(1981)

    Show 11 episodes · as Todd Feldberg

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Open All Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Simon & Simon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • This House Possessed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Pasternak

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Hart to Hart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The In-Laws(1979)

    as Cabbie · as Cab Driver

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Taxi(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Ned

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Lou Grant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Barney Miller(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Felix Morrissey

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Jeffersons(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Happy Days(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Butterfly in the Typewriter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Stanley Kauffmann

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 180 titles, 179 of them dated from 1974 to 2025; peak year 1996.

Biggest box office

Payback (1999)

$162M worldwide

Highest rated

The Hurricane (1999)

Midcredits 95th

Most popular right now

Dave (2020)

Film career

19742025

Peak 1996 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 6 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting154 of 180: 149 only acting, 5 with another role · typical Midcredits score64thDirecting31 of 180: 25 only directing, 6 with another role · typical Midcredits score76thWriting1 of 180: 0 only writing, 1 with another role

180 titles, 6 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 5 of them.

By decade

1970s7 · acting1980s34 · acting1990s40 · acting2000s57 · 41 acting · 21 crew2010s28 · 18 acting · 10 crew2020s13 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 2% of 52 roles
798994990409

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do David Paymer's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 57th percentile, the median of all 71; across their 52 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 52nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 52

Approval · how many liked their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 52

Reach · how many have seen their films

79thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 52

Midcredits score across 137 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up48
  • 50th to 74th45
  • 25th to 49th28
  • Below 25th16

Shape of the crowd

70 of their 137 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved20
  • Universally Panned2
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser70
  • Broadly Agreed11
  • Mixed29

Most divisive · actor

The Pickle Recipe (2016)

86th percentile spread · 29% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017)

Midcredits 98th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 71/100 in their films, across 48 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 46. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is David Paymer's work okay for kids?

Across up to 21 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore15 titles7–87 · median 54 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity21 titles9–61 · median 27 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity17 titles18–87 · median 77 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs14 titles26–59 · median 35 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense14 titles10–83 · median 58 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does David Paymer work with?

People who share at least 2 of David Paymer's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; William H. Macy shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles